The Last Word

10 June 2000


Question: Why do people get grumpy when they are tired? Does it require more
energy to be cheerful or something?

Answer: If you are tired, communicating with other people is an effort. Your
grumpiness discourages them from trying to be sociable. Conversely, if you are
cheerful, they are more likely to talk to you and you respond. So it can be said
that cheerfulness takes more energy.

Bobby Hersom

Thirsk, North Yorkshire

Answer: You snap when you are tired, not because being cross is less energy
demanding than being nice, but because you are afraid being nice will encourage …

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